Filipinos are known for their love for wine. Cordillerans also use it in their rituals.
In support of local winemakers, the municipality of La-Trinidad, Benguet organized a strawberry wine fair with a theme, “Taste our small winery tradition. Wines with rhythm ,taste the commitment and satisfy your taste for adventure without compromise”.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “we hear of the conversion into wine at the marriage in Cana as a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.”
Mrs. Maria Que who is known in the industry of winemaking for 10 years said that the wine fair will be a good help as the LGU will help promote and advertise their local products.
Felicitas Ticbaen, Municipal Agriculturist, said that it is the first time that they organized an event focused on local wines. It is a way to help the local winemakers of La-Trinidad as they showcase their products. Strawberry wine was the highlight of the event but they also showcased different kinds of wine like coffee, bugnay and rice.
For a first timer to taste a wonderful product, it was indeed a great experience. Most of the wines had 12% alcoholic content so a sip it will just give a soothing effect.
As the event promoted the local wines the people were also educated on identifyinglegitimate wine.
The different departments of government that have something to do about products are the following: Department of Industry or DOI, they are in charge of the processing of fruits; Department of Science and Technology (DOST) assures that the product has passed through good manufacturing practices; Department of Trade and Industry takes care of registration; and Department of Agriculture supports the production of fruits.
The local government through its agriculture office provided the needed extension services like seminars.
To support these people who’ve made an effort and dedicated their lives in the making of local wines, we should know how to identify legitimate wines from strawberry flavored drinks.
The tips that they’ve given are as follows:- if you put the bottle upside down for a couple of minutes it should not form any sediment and as you look at its label you should see the logos of DOST, DTI, and FDA which are proofs that it is registered with the aforesaid departments.**Ralph Kipol Sad-en, UB Intern